November 4
Tuesday, 7 PM

A bold rethinking of one of American history's greatest icons by a distinguished historian and critic, author of numerous books, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning "Lincoln at Gettysburg; Saint Augustine," and the best-selling "Why I Am a Catholic."

Wills goes far beyond the recent revisionist debate over Jefferson's own slaves and his relationship with Sally Hemings to look at the political relationship between the president and slavery. Jefferson won the election of 1800 with Electoral College votes derived from the three-fifths representation of slaves, who could not vote but who were partially counted as citizens. That count was known as "the slave power" granted to southern states, and it made some Federalists call Jefferson the Negro President-- one elected only by the slave count's margin.

Probing the heart of Jefferson's presidency, Wills reveals how the might of the slave states was a concern behind Jefferson's most important decisions and policies, including his strategy to expand the nation west.